Bishop Stang to celebrate first class of Hall of Fame athletes

Bishop Stang High School has announced the inaugural class for its Athletics Hall of Fame. The Athletics Hall of Fame recognizes coaches, teams, and student-athletes who excelled in a sport and/or who achieved great success beyond Bishop Stang in athletic endeavors.

The inaugural Athletics Hall of Fame ceremony will take place on Saturday, October 21. For more information, contact the Advancement/Alumni Office at (508) 996-5602, ext. 485 or email alumni@bishopstang.org.

The 2017 inductees are:

Coaches

Theresa Dougall, 1964 (posthumously)

Coach Theresa Dougall graduated from Bishop Stang in 1964, having played field hockey, basketball, and volleyball during all four years of high school. Upon her return to Stang four years later, she coached field hockey for 20 years, leading the 1983 team to state champions.

William Hart, 1964

Coach William Hart graduated with the Class of 1964 and returned to serve for more than 40 years at Bishop Stang. He coached football and girls basketball, and assumed the athletic director position in 1985. In his 25 years in this role, Hart fostered the growth of the Bishop Stang Athletic Program from 16 to 25 sports teams.

James B. Lanagan, Jr.

Coach James Lanagan spent 15 of his 37 years coaching at Bishop Stang, with a record of 90-55-5 for the Spartan football team. Many of the traditions he created within the football program still remain in existence. Today, Lanagan can be found working with Stang student-athletes at the summer conditioning program.

John C. O’Brien (posthumously)

Coach John O’Brien began his tenure at Bishop Stang in 1961 as the school’s first varsity basketball coach, and in his tenure, he coached baseball as well. He served as athletic director from 1965 to 1985, when he passed away. His concern for others and legendary style brought out the best in those around him. O’Brien is at the very core of the Stang athletic family tradition.

Teams

1964 Varsity Football

This team — led by Head Coach Carlin Lynch and Coaches Charlie Connell, Gerry Hickey, and Roland Seguin — earned the title of State Class C Champion football team and dedicated its season to Principal Sister Anne Denise. They went 7-0 against teams from area schools of all sizes and were driven by the motto, “Nothing is impossible to a willing heart.”

1983 Field Hockey

The 1983 girls field hockey team earned the title of Division II Massachusetts State Champions. Coached by Theresa Dougall, Carol Stigh, and Karen Quintin, the team finished the season with a record of 17-2-2. Captains Lisa Demakis and Ellen Saunders led the team as well as rallied the school around its energy.

Individuals

Joan Fontaine, 1978

Joan Fontaine was an all-season athlete, playing field hockey, basketball, and tennis. As a sophomore, she was on the varsity team for both field hockey and basketball, and as a senior was the captain of both. A leader on the field, she raised the level of play for all of her teammates.

Tracy Jackson Bright, 1997

Tracy Jackson was an all-season athlete, playing field hockey, basketball, and softball. She was a four-year starter for varsity basketball, and served as captain for both her junior and senior year. She also played short stop on the varsity softball team for all four years. Bright won the Theresa Dougall Award in 1997, and went on to a basketball career at Franklin Pierce.

Gerald Kavanaugh, 1971

Coach John O’Brien described Gerry Kavanaugh as a “gem” while directing him on the school's basketball team. In the 1971 Bristol County League playoffs, Kavanaugh scored 40 points and led the Spartans to victory over an undefeated New Bedford. After a year at Deerfield, Kavanaugh continued his basketball career at Lafayette College, holding the record for assists into the 2000s.

David Ottavianelli, 1986

David Ottavianelli was an all-season athlete, playing football, basketball, and baseball. He was a three-year starting quarterback under Coach James Lanagan, and led the team to its first 9-1 season since 1974 before repeating it in 1985. Ottavianelli received the Carlin Lynch Award in 1986 and went on to the USMA at West Point where he continued to play football.

Kevin Phelan, 1969

Kevin Phelan played both basketball and baseball at Bishop Stang. He led the Bristol County League in scoring and brought the team to the Bristol County League Championship during his senior year. Phelan is in the 1000 Point Club at Bishop Stang, and continued his basketball career at SMU. He was inducted into the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Hall of Fame in 2001, where he still holds the record for most field goals in a game.

Ellen Vera, 1980

Ellen Vera was an all-season athlete, playing field hockey, basketball, and track while at Bishop Stang. She was a three-year starter in field hockey for Coach Terry Dougall, and basketball point guard under Coach Bill Hart. She won the Theresa Dougall Award in 1980 and went on to play Division I field hockey and lacrosse at Northeastern University.